If you have driven through White Plains recently, you can’t help but notice that the skyline looks a little different than it did last decade this time. This change is largely due to the ventures of Louis R. Capelli. Among his current projects is Renaissance Square, a mixed-use complex currently under construction right in the middle of White Plains’ bustling downtown.
Scheduled to open in October of this year, the first tower in Renaissance Square is already 95% sold out. Similar sales are expected for the second residential tower—which should be ready by 2009. The Ritz-Carlton hotel (located in the first tower) has 123 rooms, 213 residences and 23 condominium-hotel units that can be rented out when not in personal use. Owners can expect over-the-top amenities which include ballroom access, meeting space availability, special rates and reservations at any Ritz Carlton in the world, use of a wine cellar, access to a media room, a handyman on call, and of course, two chauffeur driven Bentleys for transportation in and around town.
As expected, perks like that don’t come cheap, and if you are looking to purchase one of these residences you can cash in your 401k and forget about the kids college fund, because the one bedroom homes start at $700,000 and there are penthouses selling for over $10 million. But it seems that’s just what you pay for what Kathy Rutland, their director of sales and marketing calls “the best of the best.”
Another addition to the skyline is the nearby Trump Tower at City Center in White Plains, which is so popular that it has only one two-bedroom condo (going for $986,000) left out of 212 apartments originally for sale. But the popularity of the building should be no surprise. With only six apartments per floor, around-the-clock doorman and concierge services, and valet parking, owning a condo in this building will make your friends super jealous (especially after they have to state their name and purpose at the door and wait for your approval.) If screening your visitors isn’t enough of a perk for you – at 35 stories above its surroundings, it’s the tallest building between Manhattan and Albany.
White Plains isn’t the only city to be bitten by the “Trump bug.” New Rochelle has also received its fair share of blessings from the God of real estate in the form of the “Trump Plaza New Rochelle.” Extending 400 feet into the air right between the train station and New Roc City, the steel and glass towers contain 194 apartments and features all the luxurious amenities associated with the high life – including access to a health club, spa, and of course the “Trump Lounge,” where residents can relax in front of a large screen plasma TV and play billiards. One of the major selling points of this particular property is the 30-minute commute to Manhattan and 9-foot high ceilings with windows in each apartment that look out on the Long Island Sound.
These apartments are catalyzing a great migration the likes of which Westchester has never seen. Many of the buyers of these new condos are former Manhattan residents drawn by the family-friendly laid back suburban lifestyle. This is only the beginning of the wave of residential development planned for Westchester, so say hi to your new neighbors!
Renaissance Square
227 Main Street
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 946-9200
www.rcresidenceswestchester.com
Trump Plaza
145 Huguenot Street
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 632-6300
www.trumpplazanewrochelle.com
Trump Tower at City Center
10 City Place
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 684-0100
www.citycentercondo.com